Vacuum system communication

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to controlling vacuum parameters relating to a vacuum pump arrangement in a automatic milking system, said automatic milking system comprising a vacuum pump arrangement ( 101 ), said automatic milking system comprises a milking system controller ( 105 ) arranged to control milking system parameters and said vacuum pump arrangement comprises a vacuum system controller ( 103 ) for controlling vacuum system parameters. Communication means ( 106 ) is coupled to said vacuum system controller and to said milking system controller for establishing communication between said vacuum system controllers and said milking system controller. Said milking system controller comprises signal transmitting means ( 108 ) for transmitting a message to said vacuum system controller. Said vacuum system controller comprises signal receiving means ( 107 ) for receiving said message from said milking system controller, and said vacuum system controller is arranged to change a least one of said vacuum system parameters depending on said received message.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to controlling vacuum system parameters inan automatic milking system. More particularly, the invention relates toincreased energy efficiency, as well as increased reliability and morestable operation of a vacuum system in an automatic milking system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A milking system is one of the most important components on a dairyfarm, for it is used more hours per year than any other type ofequipment. A key component of a milking system is a vacuum pump, whichis used to remove air from the milking system pipelines to create apartial vacuum. In a conventional vacuum milking system, the vacuum pumpruns at full speed all the time, regardless of air demands. A vacuumregulator is generally used to regulate the desired vacuum level byadmitting external air, as required, when the vacuum level reaches apredetermined setting. The nominal vacuum levels normally used formilking usually are selected to be in the range from 40 to 50 kPa, butvacuum fluctuations can occur in the system, as when a milking unitfalls off the cow being milked, or when the system develops an air leak.It is essential that such fluctuations be limited to enable the vacuumsystem to meet ASAE standards as well as other standards. This isdifficult to achieve, because such incidents can cause airflow in thesystem to increase over what is needed when the system is operatingproperly. To compensate for such variations, the size of the vacuum pumpis selected to provide the desired vacuum level even when there is alarge amount of leakage, and the vacuum regulator compensates vacuumfluctuations. Thus, for example, a vacuum pump operates at a constantrate sufficient to maintain a predetermined vacuum level in a reservoireven under leakage conditions, and a vacuum regulator connected to thereservoir admits air as required to control the vacuum level duringnormal operating conditions.

In such prior systems, if there is an increase in airflow through themilking system, airflow through the vacuum regulator is reduced so thatthe reservoir maintains the required vacuum level in the milking line.Ideally, in such systems, increases in the airflow in the milking systemshould result in decreases in the airflow through the regulator, andthese should be about equal to cancel each other and to maintain vacuumequilibrium in the reservoir. The problem with this arrangement is thatonly a small portion of the vacuum pump capacity is actually needed formilking, with majority of the airflow passing through the regulator. Insuch arrangements, the capacity of the vacuum pump always exceeds thecapacity needed to milk cows or to wash the milking system, and the pumpalways runs at full speed and full load, regardless of the actual needfor vacuum.

Particularly, for modern automatic robotic milking systems, whereanimals may visit the automatic milking machine at will, the vacuum needmay vary substantially over time, not only due to leakage or otherincidents, but also for the reason that animals arrive at irregularintervals to the automatic milking system.

A recent improvement over the foregoing conventional system is describedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,180, which discloses a system for varying thespeed of a vacuum pump to maintain the required, vacuum level andstability in the system. In this patent, a vacuum level controllingsystem utilizes a two-level controller combined with an adjustable speedmotor drive for the pump.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,763 describe a system and method, which suppliesdifferent vacuum levels depending on if the milking machine, is inwashing or milking mode. It is possible to select which mode should beused at any time.

None of the above patents concerns the specific problems associated withrobotic milking systems, e.g. animals arriving at irregular intervals tobe milked.

A further problem is how to achieve better surveillance and monitoringof the workings of the vacuum pump system.

There is, therefore, a need for an automatic control system, for avacuum pump in a milking system to provide an improved vacuum controlsystem, for reducing electrical energy consumption, which will meet theneeds of modern dairy farms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a main object of the present invention to provide such apparatusand method that reduces the electrical energy consumed in an automaticmilking system.

It is in this respect a particular object of the invention to providesuch apparatus and method that adapts the supplied vacuum level to theimmediate or near immediate vacuum need as required by an automaticmilking system.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide such apparatusand method that enables a milking system controller to command a vacuumsystem controller to set a specific vacuum level.

It is another object of the invention to provide such an apparatus andmethod that enables communication between a vacuum pump arrangement andan automatic milking system controller.

These objects among others are, according to a first aspect of thepresent invention, attained by an automatic milking system comprising avacuum pump arrangement. The automatic milking system comprises amilking system controller arranged to control milking system parametersand the vacuum pump arrangement comprises a vacuum system controller forcontrolling vacuum system parameters. The system further comprisescommunication means coupled to the vacuum system controller and to themilking system controller for establishing communication between thevacuum system controller and the milking system controller, and themilking system controller comprises signal transmitting means (108; 514)for transmitting a message to said vacuum system controller. The vacuumsystem controller comprises signal receiving means (107; 513) forreceiving said message from said milking system controller, and thevacuum system controller is arranged to change at least one of saidvacuum system parameters depending on said received message.

The automatic milking system may further comprise, according to apreferred embodiment of the invention, signal transmitting means,arranged in the vacuum system controller for sending a message relatingto at least one of the vacuum parameters to the milking systemcontroller, and the milking system controller thus comprises signallingreceiving means (108; 514) for receiving said message.

These objects among others are attained, according to a second aspect ofthe present invention, by a method for controlling and monitoring avacuum pump arrangement for supplying vacuum to an automatic milkingsystem, wherein the vacuum pump arrangement comprises a vacuum systemcontroller for controlling vacuum system parameters relating to saidvacuum system and the automatic milking system comprises a milkingsystem controller for controlling milking system parameters relating tosaid automatic milking system. The method comprises the steps of sendinga message from the milking system controller to the vacuum systemcontroller, using a communications means coupling the milking systemcontroller to the vacuum system controller, and changing, by means ofthe vacuum system controller, at least one of the vacuum systemparameters, in dependence of said received message.

The method may further comprise, according to a preferred embodiment ofthe invention the further steps of detecting a vacuum system parameterby the vacuum system controller, and sending the detected vacuum systemparameter from the vacuum system controller to the milking systemcontroller, using said communications means coupling said milking systemcontroller to said vacuum system controller.

Thereby, the milking system controller may read milking systemparameters, such as measured vacuum level in the milking system, forinstance, in a milking conduit or at an end unit, and compare these withvacuum system parameters, such as a vacuum level as reported by thevacuum system controller. If the two measured vacuum levels, i.e. themilking system vacuum level and the vacuum system vacuum level, deviatemore than a value, a fault may be reported, or the milking systemcontroller may command the vacuum system controller to increase thesupplied vacuum, whereby the vacuum system controller typically willincrease the speed of a vacuum pump motor by means of a VSD (VariableSpeed Drive).

The milking system parameters may also include such parameters thatrelate to the current status of the milking system, or parts of themilking system. Such parameters may for instance be the identificationof an animal to be milked, if a specific gate is opened or closed (whichcould indicate that one or several animals are soon going to be milked),the identification of an animal to be milked, for which a specificprocedure will be applied which requires an increased vacuum level orwhich procedure increases the air inlet, such as a more demandingwashing procedure. Other parameters could be that no vacuum is neededfor the moment in which case the vacuum controller typically would turnof the vacuum pump or set the vacuum pump to maintain a stand-by vacuumlevel, which is lower than the vacuum levels required for teat cleaningand milking and thus substantially less energy requiring.

An advantage of the present invention is that energy savings is obtainedin an automatic milking system.

A further advantage is that better surveillance is obtained over thefunction of the vacuum pump system.

Yet a further advantage is that control is achieved over the vacuum pumpsystem by the automatic milking system.

A further advantage of the present invention is that an even vacuumlevel with few fluctuations can be achieved in the milking system whenthe vacuum system controller is instructed to raise the vacuum beforethe need for higher vacuum levels arise.

Further characteristics of the invention and advantages thereof will beevident from the following detailed description of embodiments of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description of embodiments of the present invention givenherein below and the accompanying FIGS. 1 to 5, which are given by wayof illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of an automatic milking system and avacuum pump system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show two different views in more detail of theautomatic milking system in FIG. 1 comprising an automatic roboticmilking system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows schematic flow diagram according to a preferred embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 4 shows another schematic flow diagram according to a preferredembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows a milking pit comprising four milking points according to apreferred embodiment of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, specific details are set forth, such as particulartechniques and applications in order to provide a thorough understandingof the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled inthe art that the present invention may be practiced in otherembodiments, which depart from these specific details. In otherinstances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and apparatusesare omitted so as not to obscure the description of the presentinvention with unnecessary details.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device according to the presentinvention. A vacuum pump arrangement 101 is connected to a vacuumballast or distribution tank 102. A vacuum system controller 103controls the vacuum pump arrangement 101 including a VSD (Variable SpeedDrive) (not shown) controlling a motor (not shown). The ballast tank 102is in turn connected to an automatic milking system 104, having amilking system controller 105.

The milking system controller 105 is a computer system controlling theoperation of the automatic milking system 104, such as identifying ananimal using a conventional identification system (not shown), measuringthe collected milk and/or milk flow from an animal, initiating take-offof teat cups when the milk flow has ceased etc.

For an automatic milking system comprising an automatic robot additionalmilking system parameters have to be regarded such as deciding if anidentified animal is accepted for milking, opening gates, initiatingteat cup application etc.

The vacuum system controller 103 is connected to the milking systemcontroller 105 by means of a connection means 106. The connection means106 can be any of a multitude of different message carrying media, suchas Ethernet Lan, Wireless Lan or even the Internet or as simple asordinary copper wires. The important aspect is that the vacuum systemcontroller comprises transceiver means 107 capable of sending andreceiving messages to a transceiver 108 in the milking system controllerthereby allowing communication between said vacuum system controller andsaid milking system controller. The communication, as such, is performedin a conventional manner well known to one skilled in the art.

A regulation valve 109 leaks air into the milking system if the vacuumlevels are to high, thus keeping the vacuum level below a maximum level.A shut-off valve 110 may be used to disconnect the regulation valve 109,should so be desired, e.g. during washing of the milking system.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show the automatic milking system 104 in FIG. 1 ingreater detail in a preferred embodiment employing a robotic milkingmachine. An ARMS (Automatic Robotic Milking System) 200 is shown in FIG.2 a. A main vacuum supply line 201 is connected through a vacuum line(not shown) to vacuum ballast tank 102. The ARMS further comprises arobotic arm 202 for connecting teat cups and a washing cup, commonlydenoted 203, to the teats of an animal. The ARMS 200 further comprisesan inlet gate 204 and an outlet gate 205.

In FIG. 2 b parts of the ARMS in FIG. 2 a are shown in greater detail.Four milk flow meters 206 measure the milk flow from each teatindividually and a fifth milk meter 207 measure the collected milk fromall of the four teats together. A receiver tank 208 collects the milkfor later transport to a milk tank by means of a milk pump 209. All thedevices shown, i.e. the robot arm 202, the teat cups and the washing cup203, the inlet gate 204, the outlet gate 205, the milk flow meters 206,the milk meter 207, the receiver tank 208 and the milk pump 209, as wellas many more features not specifically mentioned but included in aconventional ARMS, such as valves, compressed air, pistons etc, arecontrolled by an ARMS controller 210.

FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment according to theinvention describing one of the processes of the invention in an ARMS(automatic robotic milking system). The milking system detects andidentifies 301 an animal wanting access to the ARMS. Normally, thesequence to be followed for an animal to be milked is to first clean theteats of the animal by means of a washing cup, applying the milkingcups, monitoring the milk flow from all and/or each of the teats,removing the teat cups, disinfecting the teats and finally washing theteat cups, milk lines and other equipment used.

If the animal is allowed for milking 302 the ARMS controller 105 sends amessage 303 to the VSC (vacuum system controller) 103, commanding theVSC to set a particular vacuum level by adjusting the speed, i.e. inrevolutions per minute, of the motor, by means of the VSD, to a teatcleaning value. By increasing the speed of the motor driving the vacuumpump a higher vacuum level will be achieved. However, when a certainvacuum level, e.g. 50 kPa, has been reached the regulation valve 109 inFIG. 1 will start to leak air so as to keep the vacuum level fromreaching to high levels.

During teat cleaning the leakage of air into the vacuum system is largerthan during, for instance milking, i.e. more vacuum is needed and thespeed of the vacuum pump motor is thus set accordingly as describedabove. In this respect it would be advantageous to send the messagesomewhat before the actual teat cleaning sequence is performed so thatthe vacuum system is given time to adjust the vacuum level accordinglyto avoid vacuum level fluctuations.

In prior art systems the vacuum level would sink with increased inflowof air. A sensor would notice the situation and an order would be issuedto increase the speed of the vacuum pump motor to again achieve thecorrect vacuum level, e.g. the milking vacuum level. However, during aperiod the vacuum level will drop and may fluctuate before equilibriumis achieved. This is undesirable.

Generally, the term “increased vacuum need” most often refer to asituation with an increased influx of air and with requirements tomaintain constant vacuum. To balance the air inlet the vacuum pump motorneed to increase its speed to displace to increased amount of air so asto maintain the vacuum level.

When ordering increased speed of the motor, a higher vacuum iseventually built up, however this may take a short time depending on theneed for the motor to reach the correct speed, time for vacuum build upetc. If the speed is increased exactly at the same time as the need forincreased vacuum arises, that is for instance when a specific operationallowing an increased inflow of air into the milk line, such as teatcleaning, is to take place, the vacuum level will fluctuate before anequilibrium is achieved. These fluctuations are undesirable. However, ifthe order is given to the motor beforehand it will speed up to a speedknown to give an adequate vacuum level during a relevant operation, inthis case, a teat cleaning operation. Vacuum is gradually built up inthe vacuum ballast tank and eventually the regulation valve 109 will letair into the tank to maintain the vacuum level at an acceptable level asdiscussed above. When the actual need for vacuum occurs, that is duringteat cleaning, the valve 109 will close, since the teat cleaning causesincreased inflow of air and the desired vacuum level is maintained withminimal vacuum fluctuations and low energy consumption since the vacuumpump can be set to work at a higher speed only when a need for morevacuum arises.

It is also advantageous if the vacuum system sends a message to the ARMScontroller indicating that the correct vacuum level has been achieved.The ARMS controller may then check to see if the reported vacuum levelcorresponds to the vacuum level as measured by the ARMS. The process isthen set into a sleep mode waiting for a trigger 306 indicating thatteat cleaning has finished.

If the animal is not allowed into the ARMS, the ARMS controller checks304 if a predetermined time have passed since the last animal wasmilked. If this is the case a message is sent 305 to the VSC to set thespeed of the vacuum system motor to maintain a stand-by vacuum level,which is significantly lower than the normal milking vacuum level. Thus,energy is saved as soon as the ARMS is not used for milking. This check,if a predetermined time has passed since the last milking, is alsocontinuously performed when no animals present themselves before theARMS and a stand-by vacuum level is set if the check is true.

It would be equally possible to completely turn-off the vacuum pump,thus setting the vacuum level to atmospheric pressure.

This would save even more energy, however it is in some milking systemsadvantageous to keep a minimum vacuum level in the system to savesealing devices from fatigue, loosing their sealing effect etc.

When the ARMS controller indicates, by the trigger 306, that the teatcleaning sequence has ended or is soon to be ended, and a milkingsequence, comprising a teat cup application phase and a milking phase,is about to start, a message is sent 307 to the VSC commanding the VSCto set the speed of the vacuum system motor to a teat cup applicationspeed. In this respect it would be advantageously to send the messagesomewhat before the actual application of the teat cups is to beperformed so that the vacuum system can adjust the vacuum levelaccordingly. During the teat cup application air inflow is increased andthe vacuum pump motor speed is set accordingly. The process is then putto sleep waiting for a trigger 308 indicating the end of teat cupapplication and the start of the milking phase.

When the ARMS controller indicates, by the trigger 308, that the teatcup application phase has ended or is soon to be ended, a message issent 309 to the VSC commanding the VSC to set the speed of the vacuumsystem motor to a milking vacuum speed corresponding to a milking vacuumlevel. This milking vacuum level can advantageously be individually setdepending on the present animal to be milked but is normally set to 45kPa. The process is then put to sleep waiting for a trigger 310indicating the end of the milking phase or the soon end thereof.

When the ARMS controller indicates, by the trigger 310, that the milkingphase has ended or is soon to be ended, a message is sent 311 to the VSCcommanding the VSC to set the speed of the vacuum system motor to awashing vacuum speed. During washing of the teat cups, milk lines etc.it is normal that substantially more air is let into the system thanduring the milking of the animal. Thus it is advantageously to set thespeed of the motor of the vacuum pump to a higher value somewhat beforethe actual washing starts as discussed above.

When the ARMS controller indicates, by the trigger 312, that the washingphase has ended or is soon to be ended, a message is sent 313 to the VSCcommanding the VSC to set the speed of the vacuum system motor tomaintain a stand-by vacuum level. This stand-by vacuum level correspondsto a significantly lower speed of the vacuum system motor. This stand-byvacuum level is suitable for the intermediate time when one animalleaves the ARMS and the next is to be allowed into the ARMS, or in waitfor the next animal to arrive. Advantageously this level is 20 kPa butmay be less to save even more energy. The process then continues atblock 302.

By the arrangement described above, it is possible to adapt the requiredvacuum levels, to the individual animal, to achieve a better treatmentof the animal, increase milk production and, at the same time, saveconsumed energy, since the vacuum pump is at all times made to work atthe most economical level. Also the vacuum level may be adapted tosituations where there is no apparent immediate need for the vacuumlevels normally held during milking, such as when no animal is due to bemilked or when no animal presents itself for milking, and thus thevacuum level may be lowered during these periods, resulting in lessconsumption of electrical energy, without any detrimental effects to theoperation of the automatic milking machine.

FIG. 4 shows a process in the ARMS receiving a message from the VSC. Amessage from the VSC is received 401 in the ARMS controller andappropriate measures is taken. Depending of the type of message a numberof different actions may be performed. If the message is an errormessage 402 indicating a fault situation in the vacuum system, a faultis indicated 403 on a screen in the ARMS. Advantageously, an SMS (ShortMessage Service) message may also be sent to a predefined mobile numberindicating the fault situation. If the message contains a measured valuefor a vacuum system parameter 404 a check is performed to see if thevalue is within allowed maximum and minimum values 405. If the value isnot within the acceptable range a fault is indicated 406 on the ARMSscreen and one or more messages may be sent to the VSC orderingdifferent actions to be taken, such as shutting down the main vacuumsystem and employing a back-up vacuum system if the reported vacuumlevels are below a specific value. If the value is within the acceptablerange, the value is indicated 407 on the ARMS screen.

If the message is an acknowledge message 408, the ARMS is updated 409 toreflect the safe receipt of the previously sent message.

If the received message, at the ARMS controller, is a message indicating410 that the vacuum system requires service, an indication of requiredservice 411 is presented on the ARMS screen. Advantageously, the ARMScontroller may send a message to a service central, using SMS or TCP/IP,so that the service central can arrange for the service of the vacuumsystem to take place.

FIG. 5 shows an automatic milking system with a milking pit 501, ofwhich only a part is shown, a milking system controller 502 and a vacuumsystem controller 503 according to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. The milking system controller 501 and the vacuum systemcontroller 503 are in communication with each other throughcommunications means 504 schematically depicted. The milking systemcontroller 502 comprises signal transceiver means 514 and the vacuumsystem controller comprises corresponding signal transceiver means 513.Said communication means 504 is arranged to send and receive messages toand from the milking system controller 502 and the vacuum systemcontroller 503. The milking system controller 502 and the vacuum systemcontroller 503 will respond to received messages by performing differentactions, as discussed above.

Four milking points A, B, C and D are shown in FIG. 5. It is clear thata general milking pit may contain more milking points than four. Eachmilking point comprises a milking point controller 505, 506, 507 and 508for controlling various milking parameters relating to each milkingpoint, such as measuring milk flow or amount, activating take off etc.Each milking point controller 505, 506, 507 and 508 is connected to themilking system controller 502 by communication means 509, 510, 511 and512, respectively. Each milking point controller may thus sendinformation to the milking system controller 502, for instance regardingthe present status (milking, washing, take off, no operation etc.),fault indication, amount of milk withdrawn, milk flow etc. Thus, themilking system controller 502 will have information relating to allmilking points 505, 506, 507 and 508 in the milking pit. The milkingsystem controller is more over connected to gates (not shown) and otherdevices, such as a washing machine, for monitoring their status,receiving information or sending orders. For instance, the opening of aspecific gate may indicate that milking is to be commenced, or themilking system controller may order the washing machine to startwashing.

According to this preferred embodiment of the invention, the milkingsystem controller 502 may receive information from each milking point505, 506, 507 and 508 that all milking points are empty, that is, thereare no animals present to be milked. The milking system controller thusorders the vacuum system controller to reduce the vacuum level to thestand-by vacuum level to save energy. When a gate (not shown) is openedto let in a new batch of animals to be milked, the milking systemcontroller 502 receives information regarding the status of the gate andorders the vacuum system controller 503 to increase the vacuum levelfrom the stand-by level to the milking level.

When washing is to be started the milking system controller 502 ordersthe washing machine (not shown) to start washing after ordering thevacuum system controller 503 to set the vacuum motor speed to a washingvacuum speed. Alternatively the washing machine may send a message tothe milking system controller before starting washing, in which case themilking system controller 502 will respond with an order to the vacuumsystem controller 503 to increase the vacuum motor speed.

If a milking point 505, 506, 507 or 508 reports low vacuum levels to themilking system controller 502, alternatively if the milking systemcontroller 502 itself register low vacuum levels, it may order thevacuum system controller 503 to use a second back-up vacuum pump andmotor (not shown) and indicate the fault on a suitable media.

It will be obvious that the invention may be varied in a plurality ofways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from thescope of the invention. All such modifications as would be obvious toone skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. An automatic milking system comprising a vacuum pump arrangement,wherein said automatic milking system comprises a milking systemcontroller arranged to control milking system parameters and said vacuumpump arrangement comprises a vacuum system controller for controllingvacuum system parameters, comprising: communication means is coupled tosaid vacuum system controller and to said milking system controller forestablishing communication between said vacuum system controller andsaid milking system controller, said milking system controller comprisessignal transmitting means for transmitting a message to said vacuumsystem controller, said vacuum system controller comprises signalreceiving means for receiving said message from said milking systemcontroller, and said vacuum system controller is arranged to change atleast one of said vacuum system parameters depending on said receivedmessage.
 2. The automatic milking system according to claim 1, whereinsaid vacuum system controller comprises signal transmitting means forsending a message relating to at least one of said vacuum systemparameters to said milking system controller, and said milking systemcontroller comprises signal receiving means for receiving said message.3. The automatic milking system according to claim 1, wherein saidautomatic milking system is a fully automatic robotic milking system forautomatic application of teat cups to an animal.
 4. The automaticmilking system according to claim 2, wherein said automatic milkingsystem comprises vacuum measurement means for measuring a vacuum levelin the milking system, at least one of said vacuum system parameters isrelating to a vacuum level as measured in said vacuum pump arrangement,and said milking system controller comprises means for taking anappropriate measure if the difference between said vacuum measured inthe milking system and said vacuum as indicated by said parameter isgreater than a predetermined value.
 5. The device according to claim 2,wherein said milking system controller is arranged to receive saidvacuum system parameters and take an appropriate measure if any of saidvacuum system parameters deviates more than a predetermined value from agiven set point.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein—saidmilking system controller is arranged to; send a message to said vacuumsystem controller in dependence of a first milking system parameter. 7.The device according to claim 6, wherein said message is an order toreduce the vacuum Level to a stand-by vacuum level, which issubstantially lower than a milking vacuum level, and said first milkingsystem parameter is a parameter indicating that no animal is present inthe automatic milking system.
 8. The device according to claim 6,wherein said message is an order to increase or decrease the speed of avacuum pump motor.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein saidmessage is sent a predetermined time before a respective increase ordecrease of air in-flow to the milking system is expected.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 6, wherein said message is an order toincrease the vacuum level from a stand-by vacuum level, which issubstantially lower than the milking vacuum level, and said firstmilking system parameter is a parameter indicating that an animal ispresent in the automatic milking system.
 11. The device according toclaim 1, wherein said automatic milking system comprises several milkingpoints, each of which comprises a cluster of teat cups and a milkingpoint controller, each of said clusters of teat cups is arranged to beapplied to teats of a respective animal, each of said milking pointcontrollers being arranged to initiate take-off of said teat cups fromsaid teats, and each of said milking point controllers being connectedto said milking system controller.
 12. The device according to claim 11,wherein said milking system controller is arranged to send a message tosaid vacuum system controller ordering said vacuum system controller toreduce the vacuum level to a stand-by vacuum level if each of saidmilking point controllers reports that no animal is present for milking.13. A method for controlling and monitoring a vacuum pump arrangementfor supplying vacuum to an automatic milking system, wherein said vacuumpump arrangement comprises a vacuum system controller for controllingvacuum system parameters relating to said vacuum system and saidautomatic milking system comprises a milking system controller forcontrolling milking system parameters relating to said automatic milkingsystem, comprising: sending a message from said milking systemcontroller to said vacuum system controller, using a communicationsmeans coupling said milking system controller to said vacuum systemcontroller, and changing, by means of said vacuum system controller; atleast one of said vacuum system parameters, in dependence of saidreceived message.
 14. The method according to claim 13, furthercomprising: detecting a vacuum system parameter in said vacuum pumparrangement, and sending said detected vacuum system parameter from saidvacuum system controller to said milking system controller, using saidcommunications means coupling said milking system controller to saidvacuum system controller.
 15. The method according to claim 13, whereinsaid automatic milking system is a fully automatic robotic milkingsystem performing automatic application of teat cups to an animal. 16.The method according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said vacuumsystem parameters is relating to a vacuum level as measured in saidvacuum pump arrangement and further comprising: measuring a vacuum levelin the milking system, and taking an appropriate measure if thedifference between said vacuum level measured in the milking system andsaid vacuum level as indicated by said at least one of said vacuumsystem parameter is greater than a predetermined value.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 13, further comprising. sending said message fromsaid milking system controller to said vacuum system controller independence of a first milking system parameter.
 18. The method accordingto claim 17, wherein said first milking system parameters is a parameterindicating that no animal is present in the automatic milking system,and said message is an order to reduce the vacuum level to a stand-byvacuum level, which is substantially lower than a milking vacuum level.19. The method according to claim 17, wherein said first milking systemparameters is a parameter indicating that an animal is present in theautomatic milking system, and said message is an order to increase thevacuum level from a stand-by vacuum level, which is substantially lowerthan the milking vacuum level.
 20. The method according to claim 17,wherein said message is an order to increase or decrease the speed of avacuum pump motor.
 21. The method according to claim 20, furthercomprising: sending said message a predetermined time before anestimated need of vacuum is established
 22. The method according toclaim 13, wherein said automatic milking system comprises severalmilking points, each of which comprises a cluster of teat cups and amilking point controller, each of said clusters of teat cups is arrangedto be applied to teats of a respective animal, each of said milkingpoint controllers being arranged to initiate take-off of said teat cupsfrom said teats, and each of said milking point controllers beingconnected through a communication means to said milking systemcontroller.
 23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising:receiving a message from each of said milking point controllers at saidmilking system controller, and sending a message from said milkingsystem controller to said vacuum system controller ordering said vacuumsystem controller to reduce the vacuum level to a standby vacuum levelif each of said milking point controllers reports that no animal ispresent for milking.